Barcelona maintained their third position in La Liga after securing a late draw against Rayo Vallecano. Despite trailing at halftime to Unai Lopez's impressive goal, Barcelona dominated the second half but struggled to convert good chances. The breakthrough finally came when Florian Lejeune inadvertently scored an own goal under pressure from Robert Lewandowski. The draw leaves Barcelona in a strong position, with Real Madrid and Girona, their closest rivals, set to play their respective matches.
The Catalan side made significant changes to their lineup, including the absence of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to injury. His replacement, Inaki Pena, faced challenges and conceded to Lopez's powerful strike in the first half. Expressing dissatisfaction with the team's performance, coach Xavi introduced former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan from the bench, sparking Barcelona's dominance in the second half.
Despite their control of the game and numerous shots on goal, Barcelona struggled to find the net until the 82nd minute. Florian Lejeune, under pressure from Robert Lewandowski, unintentionally redirected the ball into his own net, securing a crucial equalizer for Barcelona. The result maintains their position in the league standings, with upcoming matches for Real Madrid and Girona determining their rivals' impact on the rankings.
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